Revision as of 16:38, 31 May 2019

Joseph Murphy '09

Lucky Bag

Joseph Augustine Murphy

Boston, Massachusetts

"Spuds," "Mike"

A thoroughbred Irishman from the "ould sod," and is proud of it. Brought with him the original Boston twang and a large supply of Irish ditties. An athlete in a small way, being one of the mainstays on all the class teams, and showed his prowess Second Class year by winning the middle-weight boxing championship. One of the charter members of the Beef Trust, and has an eating capacity almost equal to that of an ostrich. Has a most fetching smile and could be a great fusser. However, has his own independent ideas concerning the fair sex, and is not of the opinion that "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." Never lets his studies worry him in the least, and has seldom been known to bone. With his versatile conversation and happy disposition, "Spuds" is always welcomed in any crowd, and his winning smile is a sure cure for the blues.

Joseph Augustine Murphy

Boston, Massachusetts

"Spuds," "Mike"

A thoroughbred Irishman from the "ould sod," and is proud of it. Brought with him the original Boston twang and a large supply of Irish ditties. An athlete in a small way, being one of the mainstays on all the class teams, and showed his prowess Second Class year by winning the middle-weight boxing championship. One of the charter members of the Beef Trust, and has an eating capacity almost equal to that of an ostrich. Has a most fetching smile and could be a great fusser. However, has his own independent ideas concerning the fair sex, and is not of the opinion that "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." Never lets his studies worry him in the least, and has seldom been known to bone. With his versatile conversation and happy disposition, "Spuds" is always welcomed in any crowd, and his winning smile is a sure cure for the blues.

Loss

Joseph was lost on February 28, 1942 when the Qantas flying boat he was aboard was shot down by a Japanese bomber over the Java Sea while en route from Java to Broome, Australia. He was a naval observer to the Netherlands East Indies, and was aboard with the Consul-General for the Netherlands in Malaya and several of his staff and their families.

Career

Navy Cross

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Joseph Augustine Murphy, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Assistant to the Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery during World War I.

Service: Navy
Division: Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

Legion of Merit

(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph Augustine Murphy, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Naval Observer at Sandakan, British North Borneo, and the Netherlands East Indies, on 1 March 1942.